Ministries
Freed in Christ, we don't have to serve, we get to serve! Serving and sharing out of our abundance is an integral part of Muhlenberg's identity. Consider what your gifts are and how you might serve. Connect and join in on one of our ministry teams - learn more about them below - new folks always welcome! If you are looking for a specific way to volunteer and share your time, plug in with one of the many ways we serve around church, in our community, and around the world!
Campus Ministry - This group of Muhlenberg members seeks to support and connect with our campus ministry students by building relationships with students and reaching out to the university communities. More information can be found on the Lutheran Campus Ministry page.
Christian Formation* - Throughout our lives, to see ourselves and the world as loved by God; to learn God's ways; to share God's gifts with all creation. Ways to serve include teaching Sunday mornings and participating in Christian Formation! More information can be found on the Christian Formation & Education page.
Congregational Care* - Together we celebrate joys and offer caring support through grief, struggle, and everything in-between. The Congregational Care Ministry nurtures and facilitates some of the avenues of care Muhlenberg members can give each other (such as coordinating funeral meals, congregational caroling, and shepherding area oversight). Shepherd Areas (or groups) are organized based on where members live, and are a method of caring for our neighbors. Ways to serve include hospitality for funerals, and reaching out to your neighborhood shepherd area.
Endowment - Responsible for the Mission Endowment Fund, which promotes the faithful Christian stewardship of all resources, present as well as accumulated, by encouraging personal wills and estate plans that reflect love for family, neighbor, and God's work throughout the church.
Evangelism* - Creates and oversees programs, activities, and education to reach out to the unchurched, welcome all visitors, and integrate new members into the life of our congregation. Ways to participate is to be welcoming to all, even people you have never met but you have worshiped with for years.
Finance* - Responsible for the management of financial resources of our congregation including oversight of financial records (which includes an audit or review of past results) and planning (which includes the preparation of an annual budget or spending plan for the upcoming year). It ensures counting of receipts using proper financial controls, and it monitors, using monthly income statements provided by the Treasurer, the ongoing financial condition of the congregation during the year in order to make appropriate recommendations to church council regarding income and expenses as needed.
Local and Global Mission* - Each day Muhlenberg Lutheran Church members minister to each other through acts of kindness, grace, love, and conviction, in our homes, our places of employment, and in our community. The mission of this Ministry Team is to support non-members locally and globally by promoting food and goods donations; supporting local benevolence (e.g. Patchwork Pantry & Open Doors), ELCA projects, agencies housed at Muhlenberg (Second Home, Harrisonburg Rockingham Child Day Care Center & People Helping People), Rwanda School, and other ministries.
Memorials - Responsible for acknowledging all memorial donations and notifying the family that donations were made in their loved one's honor. Allocate funds as needed or requested within the church for 'unbudgeted' special needs.
Property* - Responsible for the maintenance, repairs, and overall upkeep of the Muhlenberg campus buildings, grounds, and parking areas. Ways to participate include watching out for campus work days throughout the year.
Stewardship* - Formerly returning thanks, seeks ways to celebrate and inspire the gifts of Muhlenberg Members' Time, Talent, and Treasure in the service of God and all of God's people. Coordinates the annual 'Stewardship Commitment Sunday'. Ways to participate is to be part of the ministry team and encourage thoughtfulness about giving.
Second Home - a before and after school educational program for latchkey students created to meet the urgent needs of impoverished families in our neighborhood. Its mission is to provide a safe, supervised, friendly place where reading and homework are required and care is available to every child in need.
Worship - Responsible for the planning, organization, presentation, and evaluation of Muhlenberg's total worship. It is our mission to provide quality worship through various venues of artistic gifts (music; both vocal and instrumental, drama decor) to enhance and inspire our worship experience. Ways to serve include serving as a worship assistant, setting up worship and helping take care of communion ware, taking communion to homebound members, and joining a choir.
Youth - Help youth to gain a deep understanding of the Christian faith, experience the joy of serving others through meaningful activities and missions and to develop healthy and meaningful relationships with each other, their families, and others in the world.
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* Ministry teams that are starred (*) meet on the second Monday of each month. All groups are open and welcome new members - just come jump in at Ministry Night, the second Monday of each month, at 7pm, starting in the sanctuary. Click here for a fun video introducing some of our ministry teams and who serves on them!